Contracted by the billionaire

chapter 7

Vivenne's Pov

I woke up in Roman’s penthouse bedroom the next morning. My body ached from the crash, but my mind felt clear. Three years of memories pressed on me like always. I sat up slowly and touched the bandage on my forehead. Roman had kept his word. No one from my family got close last night.

He walked in carrying a tray with coffee and toast. No smile, just that steady look he always had. “Doctor cleared you for light movement. Eat first.”

I had coffee. “Thank you for yesterday. For believing in me enough to act.”

Roman sat in the chair across from the bed. “I pulled more files last night. The contract is ironclad. Your name only. Margaret and Griffin buried the real one deep, but Iris is good. We have a court date in ten days.”

I nodded. “Clarissa will push back hard. She already tried with the police. In my first life, she succeeded. This time we will stop her early.”

He watched me carefully. “Tell me more about what you remember. Not everything at once. Just the parts that help us now.”

I set the cup down. “Margaret switched me with Clarissa when we were babies. The real documents are in a safe deposit box under my grandmother’s maiden name. I listed them for Iris. Victor Crane helped hide the money trail. He’s stealing from the estate through fake investments. That’s why he feeds information to my mother.”

Roman’s jaw clenched. “Crane works with me on three deals. I’ll have my team audit everything quietly today.”

I reached for his hand. It felt warm and solid. “In the future I remember, you stayed out of it. You believed their story about me walking away. We barely spoke. But you’re different now. You came for me.”

“I noticed you before,” he said simply. “You stopped hiding. That changed things.”

The door opened and Carter poked his head in. “Breakfast is ready downstairs. Delia called the main line. She’s on her way over. Says she’s bringing clothes and attitude.”

I smiled for the first time. “Good. I need her.”

Carter grinned at his brother. “You two look cozy. I’ll tell security to let Delia up.”

When Carter left, Roman stayed seated. “You’re staying here until the hearing. My security stays with you. No solo trips.”

“I won’t argue,” I said. “But I need to meet Iris today. We have to freeze more assets before Margaret moves money.”

He stood. “I’ll drive you. No arguments on that either.”

Two hours later we met Iris at a quiet cafe near her office. She looked composed as always, papers spread out. “The freeze is holding. Margaret called me twice this morning, demanding access. I told her the court will decide now.”

I slid another list across the table. “These are the accounts Victor Crane used. Cross-reference with Steele business records. He’s the leak.”

Iris scanned it. “This is detailed. You continue to surprise me, Vivienne. I’ll have it checked by end of the day.”

Roman spoke up. “Add my legal team to the loop. We treat this as one case now.”

Iris raised an eyebrow but nodded. “Understood. The betrothal contract strengthens your position on the inheritance. Combined with the forgeries, we have a strong shot.”

We left the cafe and Roman drove us back. Traffic was heavy, so we sat in silence for a while. I watched the city pass by. New York looked the same as in my old memories, but everything felt different with him beside me.

“You said in your other life I was going to marry Clarissa,” he said suddenly. “Did I ever touch her? Kiss her?”

“No,” I answered. “You kept it formal. She tried, but you stayed distant. That’s why she got nervous when I found the file.”

He glanced at me. “Good. Because I don’t plan on touching anyone but you.”

My cheeks warmed. The slow burn between us felt real now. Not just a contract. Not just revenge. “I’m not the same woman who stepped aside last time. I won’t shrink anymore.”

“I know,” he replied. “That’s why I’m here.”

Back at the penthouse, Delia waited in the living room. She jumped up and hugged me tight. “Girl, I heard about the crash. Your sister is full of s**t. I told her off on the phone earlier when she tried to fish for info.”

I laughed. “What did you say?”

“Told her to choke on her fake concern. Then hung up.” Delia looked at Roman. “You keeping her safe, Steele? Because if not, I will.”

Roman nodded once. “She stays with me.”

Delia winked at me. “Finally. You two were always circling each other. Now get your inheritance and kick some family ass.”

We sat and planned. I told her the basics about my second chance without the full details. She believed enough. “Whatever crazy story got you here, I’m in. Just don’t go cold on me. You still need people who actually care.”

Roman’s phone rang. He stepped away to answer, then came back. “Security update. One of the shooters talked. Griffin Hale made the call on Margaret’s orders. Police are picking him up now.”

I felt a weight lift but not all of it. “One down. Clarissa will scramble next.”

Carter joined us with fresh coffee. “Mom called. Diana’s not happy about the change in plans. She liked Clarissa for the name. But I told her Vivienne’s the real deal. She’ll come around after she sees you stand up to the Ashworths.”

I looked at Roman. “Your mother might fight this.”

“She’ll accept it,” he said firmly. “Or she won’t. Doesn’t change anything.”

Later that evening, I stood on the balcony alone. The city lights stretched out. Roman came up behind me and put his hands on my shoulders. “Inside. It’s colder now.”

I turned to face him. “Thank you for believing pieces of my story. Even if the rebirth part sounds insane.”

He pulled me closer. “The danger is real. That’s enough for now. We handle one day at a time. You, me, the contract, the revenge. All of it.”

His arms felt safe. The possessive way he held me wasn’t suffocating. It was steady. I rested my head against his chest. “In my first life, I died alone. This time feels worth fighting for.”

“It is,” he said. “And I don’t waver once I choose. You’re my choice, Vivienne.”

We went inside. Delia had left, promising to return tomorrow. Carter crashed in the guest room. Roman walked me to the bedroom door.

“Sleep,” he said. “Tomorrow we hit the next target. Victor Crane.”

I nodded. “Together.”

He kissed my forehead gently. “Together.”

I closed the door and lay down. My heart beat steady for the first time in this second life. Clarissa’s smile wouldn’t win again. Margaret’s plans would crumble. I had Roman, Iris, Delia, and the truth on my side.